springfield 1911-a1. tell me about this one.

ftballgod · May 4, 2011, 10:48 PM

i bought this gun a few days ago. the guy i bought it from said it was new and it came from an estate sale where an old guy had it in a safe for years. i thought it was just a regular springfield 1911-a1, but when i started looking it up i could not find another one like mine. it has a diffrent hammer and a springfield arms mark on the slide. can anyone tell me what i have.

ftballgod · May 4, 2011, 10:51 PM

more pics

Tactical Jackalope · May 4, 2011, 10:54 PM

Wow...don't know what to say exactly...But I had to pay to have mine look like that.

Someone will let you know, I may be wrong...I probably am...But looks custom to me brother. Nice! I love it

ftballgod · May 4, 2011, 10:55 PM

the sights are diffrent too. more pics.

bitttorrrent · May 4, 2011, 10:58 PM

Nice gun, but don't know anything about 1911 history as I am just learning.

Did you get a good deal on it? I would love to find something like that at an estate sale. We just had our own for motherinlaw - but I found the one gun she had in an old box of hand typed stories she had put away. Good thing. It was an old .38 Colt revolver army special - very nice.

Poor guy was probably no different than all of us at some point - finding that perfect gun and loading up his safe. Too bad he had no one to give it to.

ftballgod · May 4, 2011, 10:58 PM

Constantine, does yours have the stamp on the slide too? if so, how long ago did you buy yours?

btw yours looks pretty sweet!

Tactical Jackalope · May 4, 2011, 10:59 PM

The sights are the same as the ones I got...It's a different finish. Mine is parkerized. Also, doesn't have the "Brazil" engraving on the frame either. I'm waiting for a pro about SA 1911's to get on this thread. I'm curious.

I had to pay darn good money to get my beaver tail custom shaved like that to fit the combat hammer.

ftballgod · May 4, 2011, 11:01 PM

i dont know how much of a deal i got on it, as i bought it from someone who got it at an estate sale. but i thought $500 was a good price. it came with 2 sets of grips, 1 mag, the hard carry case, and a cleaning brush. and the gun is brand new.

Tactical Jackalope · May 4, 2011, 11:03 PM

I don't know what anyone else has to say...But I know for sure that's a GREAT deal

I'd be really happy with that! Take it out to the range and shoot the daylights out of it safely!!!

Range report on this thread?

scottl · May 4, 2011, 11:50 PM

It's an older Springfield with blued finish.Logo is behind the ejection port.Looks like the older Springfield frame.They switched in 02.Call Springfield's Customer Service,give them the serial# and they'll tell you about the gun.

**Aguila Blanca** · May 5, 2011, 06:32 AM

Looks like an early Mil-Spec.

Ronbert · May 5, 2011, 08:08 AM

The hammer & sear could have been changed by the owner. The fact that the grips aren't standard suggest he might have modified other parts.

My SA 1911 (purch around 1995) has a similar hammer because I changed it out. (The hammer has been crudely filed to not interfere with the grip safety. Crude because I can change back to the original parts anytime and it was my "working" IPSC gun)

Looks like a nice gun. Enjoy!

voyager4520 · May 5, 2011, 09:51 AM

It looks like a "Mil-Spec"(not GI) with a different hammer and different grips. It might've come out of Springfield's custom shop or was a stock Mil-Spec that the owner modified or had modified by a gunsmith. It doesn't look like the chamber has the "loaded chamber" witness hole in it so it's probably an earlier model.

Also, the finish appears to be blued. The current production Mil-Specs are parkerized, that could be another indicator that it's an earlier model. You could call Springfield, give them the serial number and ask if they could provide a little more info about when it was made, what features it had when it was new etc.

RickB · May 5, 2011, 10:47 AM

I'm going to guess that it's a late '80s/early '90s gun, made prior to the current breakdown of the product lineup into G.I., Mil-Spec, Loaded, etc. For many years, Springfields had flat, square contours on the dust cover and front strap, which was changed back to the Colt/G.I. contours seen on this gun and on Springfields made since ~2003.

Kreyzhorse · May 5, 2011, 07:05 PM

Quote:

The hammer & sear could have been changed by the owner. The fact that the grips aren't standard suggest he might have modified other parts.

+1. I'd guess an early version from Springfield with a little after market work.

I would take the serial number and give Springfield a call. They can tell you when it was made.

thump_rrr · May 5, 2011, 08:39 PM

Remove the grips. On the right hand side there should be a month/year of manufacture stamp.

I didn't see if the mainspring housing has the ILS lock or not. If no ILS then it should be pre 2001 I believe.

VHinch · May 5, 2011, 08:41 PM

It's simply an older Mil Spec that's been tinkered with. The logo behind the ejection port puts it pre-1996, and comparing that serial number to a couple in my collection with known manufacture dates I'd call it 1993-1994. Springfield Customer service will be glad to confirm the date for you, ask for Deb when you call.

I'd suggest a complete function check before live fire, and if you have any doubts I'd have it checked by a smith who knows 1911's. Those rat tail grip safeties don't require frame fitting and are often DIY jobs, so you never know who did it and whether or not they knew what they were doing.

Jim Watson · May 5, 2011, 08:42 PM

Agree with RickB.
It is easy to do "parts bin engineering" with a 1911 and make short runs of guns not quite like the majority. They have no value beyond their shooting qualities.

M4BGRINGO · May 5, 2011, 08:56 PM

I just bought a used 1911 A-1 but it is stainless.

My plunger tube is slightly tweaked and the rear plunger will get hung-up on the thumb safety. I sent S/A an email and they responded the next day!

I don't want to send the gun in yet, I know what is wrong and how to deal with it. Can't wait to take it to the range and try it out.

carprivershooter · May 5, 2011, 10:41 PM

I agree with some other posters it looks like a MIL Spec. Very simular to my Mil Spec. Check under the grip mine has a year stamped under the right side grip. Mine was stamped 2007

ftballgod · May 6, 2011, 09:36 PM

thanks i will check it out and get back to you.

May 4, 2011, 10:58 PM	#6
ftballgod Senior Member Join Date: January 14, 2010 Posts: 268	Constantine, does yours have the stamp on the slide too? if so, how long ago did you buy yours? btw yours looks pretty sweet! __________________ When I held that gun in my hand, I felt a surge of power - like God must feel when he's holding a gun.

May 4, 2011, 11:01 PM	#8
ftballgod Senior Member Join Date: January 14, 2010 Posts: 268	i dont know how much of a deal i got on it, as i bought it from someone who got it at an estate sale. but i thought $500 was a good price. it came with 2 sets of grips, 1 mag, the hard carry case, and a cleaning brush. and the gun is brand new. __________________ When I held that gun in my hand, I felt a surge of power - like God must feel when he's holding a gun.

May 5, 2011, 09:51 AM	#13
voyager4520 Senior Member Join Date: April 1, 2009 Location: SE Colorado Posts: 840	It looks like a "Mil-Spec"(not GI) with a different hammer and different grips. It might've come out of Springfield's custom shop or was a stock Mil-Spec that the owner modified or had modified by a gunsmith. It doesn't look like the chamber has the "loaded chamber" witness hole in it so it's probably an earlier model. Also, the finish appears to be blued. The current production Mil-Specs are parkerized, that could be another indicator that it's an earlier model. You could call Springfield, give them the serial number and ask if they could provide a little more info about when it was made, what features it had when it was new etc. __________________ Glock 23,27 Last edited by voyager4520; May 5, 2011 at 10:01 AM.

May 5, 2011, 08:41 PM	#17
VHinch Senior Member Join Date: April 13, 2002 Location: Northeast Georgia Posts: 374	It's simply an older Mil Spec that's been tinkered with. The logo behind the ejection port puts it pre-1996, and comparing that serial number to a couple in my collection with known manufacture dates I'd call it 1993-1994. Springfield Customer service will be glad to confirm the date for you, ask for Deb when you call. I'd suggest a complete function check before live fire, and if you have any doubts I'd have it checked by a smith who knows 1911's. Those rat tail grip safeties don't require frame fitting and are often DIY jobs, so you never know who did it and whether or not they knew what they were doing. __________________ “High speed isn't about gun, gear or tactics. High speed is executing the basics perfectly no matter what, cold, wet, day, night, tired. That’s high speed." -Paul Howe

May 5, 2011, 10:41 PM	#20
carprivershooter Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2008 Location: Michigan, Upper Pennsula Posts: 396	NICE Gun I agree with some other posters it looks like a MIL Spec. Very simular to my Mil Spec. Check under the grip mine has a year stamped under the right side grip. Mine was stamped 2007 __________________ CarpriverShOOter Finch, I don't like guns. Reese, Me either but if someone has to have guns I'd rather it be me. (Person of Interest). No trees were destroyed in the posting of the this message Last edited by carprivershooter; May 5, 2011 at 10:46 PM.

May 4, 2011, 10:54 PM	#3
Tactical Jackalope Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2010 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 6,429	Wow...don't know what to say exactly...But I had to pay to have mine look like that. Someone will let you know, I may be wrong...I probably am...But looks custom to me brother. Nice! I love it

May 4, 2011, 10:58 PM	#5
bitttorrrent Senior Member Join Date: April 21, 2011 Location: Chicago Posts: 703	Nice gun, but don't know anything about 1911 history as I am just learning. Did you get a good deal on it? I would love to find something like that at an estate sale. We just had our own for motherinlaw - but I found the one gun she had in an old box of hand typed stories she had put away. Good thing. It was an old .38 Colt revolver army special - very nice. Poor guy was probably no different than all of us at some point - finding that perfect gun and loading up his safe. Too bad he had no one to give it to.

May 4, 2011, 10:59 PM	#7
Tactical Jackalope Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2010 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 6,429	The sights are the same as the ones I got...It's a different finish. Mine is parkerized. Also, doesn't have the "Brazil" engraving on the frame either. I'm waiting for a pro about SA 1911's to get on this thread. I'm curious. I had to pay darn good money to get my beaver tail custom shaved like that to fit the combat hammer.

May 4, 2011, 11:03 PM	#9
Tactical Jackalope Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2010 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 6,429	I don't know what anyone else has to say...But I know for sure that's a GREAT deal I'd be really happy with that! Take it out to the range and shoot the daylights out of it safely!!! Range report on this thread?

May 4, 2011, 11:50 PM	#10
scottl Senior Member Join Date: January 17, 2007 Location: Morehead,Ky Posts: 752	It's an older Springfield with blued finish.Logo is behind the ejection port.Looks like the older Springfield frame.They switched in 02.Call Springfield's Customer Service,give them the serial# and they'll tell you about the gun.

May 5, 2011, 06:32 AM	#11
Aguila Blanca Staff Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 18,473	Looks like an early Mil-Spec.

May 5, 2011, 08:08 AM	#12
Ronbert Senior Member Join Date: September 23, 2009 Location: Ft. Collins, CO. Posts: 398	The hammer & sear could have been changed by the owner. The fact that the grips aren't standard suggest he might have modified other parts. My SA 1911 (purch around 1995) has a similar hammer because I changed it out. (The hammer has been crudely filed to not interfere with the grip safety. Crude because I can change back to the original parts anytime and it was my "working" IPSC gun) Looks like a nice gun. Enjoy!

May 5, 2011, 10:47 AM	#14
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,518	I'm going to guess that it's a late '80s/early '90s gun, made prior to the current breakdown of the product lineup into G.I., Mil-Spec, Loaded, etc. For many years, Springfields had flat, square contours on the dust cover and front strap, which was changed back to the Colt/G.I. contours seen on this gun and on Springfields made since ~2003.

May 5, 2011, 08:39 PM	#16
thump_rrr Senior Member Join Date: October 12, 2010 Posts: 403	Remove the grips. On the right hand side there should be a month/year of manufacture stamp. I didn't see if the mainspring housing has the ILS lock or not. If no ILS then it should be pre 2001 I believe.

May 5, 2011, 08:42 PM	#18
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,543	Agree with RickB. It is easy to do "parts bin engineering" with a 1911 and make short runs of guns not quite like the majority. They have no value beyond their shooting qualities.

May 5, 2011, 08:56 PM	#19
M4BGRINGO Senior Member Join Date: March 22, 2011 Posts: 256	I just bought a used 1911 A-1 but it is stainless. My plunger tube is slightly tweaked and the rear plunger will get hung-up on the thumb safety. I sent S/A an email and they responded the next day! I don't want to send the gun in yet, I know what is wrong and how to deal with it. Can't wait to take it to the range and try it out.

May 6, 2011, 09:36 PM	#21
ftballgod Senior Member Join Date: January 14, 2010 Posts: 268	thanks i will check it out and get back to you. __________________ When I held that gun in my hand, I felt a surge of power - like God must feel when he's holding a gun.